Means for protecting submerged devices.



No. 736,891. Y PATENTED AUG. 18, 1903.

0.A. STEMPEL. I

MEANS FOR PROTEGTIN-G SUBMERGED DEVICES. APPLIomIoNjrILnn 00T. 14, 1902. no uonm..

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UNITED LSTATEIS/ Patented August 18, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

OMAR A. STEMPEL, OF LAKELAND, FLOIDA,'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES M. MARSH, OFLAKELAND, FLORIDA.

MEANS FOR `PROTECTING SUBMERGED DEVICES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,891., dated August 18, 1903.

Application filed October 14, 1902. Serial No. 127.271. fNo model.)

Florida, have invented new and useful linprovements in Means for Protecting Submerged Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesV to means for protecting piles, timber structures, ties, and wood devices'generally exposed to the atmosphere, submerged in water, or embedded in mud or the ground from the decayingand rotting influences of natural elements, as Well as fire, and the ravages and destructive influence of the teredo and barnacle; and the object of the same is to provide a simple and eiective covering or inclosure which combined with a particular structure embodied in the covered device or timber is prevented from loosening orbecomingdislodged through strains or vibrations to which the said device may be subjected.` 1

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the severalparts, which will be more fully hereinafter described `and claimed;

In the drawings, Figure l is aperspective View of a pile, showing the protective covering applied thereto and held by the improved securing means. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of a pile embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of a pile, showing the construction of the same to receive the covering. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line et 4, Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

To show one practical application of the invention, a pile has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings; butit will be understoodthat timbers and beams, as well as railroad-ties and Wood devices generally, are to be supplied with the improved covering and the means for securing such covering in applied position.

The numeral l designates a pile of ordinary form and of any suitable length, and thereto a protective covering 2 is applied over that .floating objects.

portion which is exposed to the water to preserve the Wood and'obstruct decay, as Well asA serious results arising from the effects of attack by the teredo and barnacle. The covering is also adapted to serve in this instance as a reproof protection or covering and may be of any material having fireproofing qualiications, or'when ordinary decaying elements are to be resisted or the injurious effect of the teredo and barnacle overcome said covering may be of asphaltum, which has many advantages for this purpose in view of its inherent elasticity and constant capability of taking up or absorbing vibrations or shock due to the driving of the pile or forceful engagement therewith in lateral directions of By the use of asphaltum in this particular application of Vthe invention liability .of fracture or dislodgment of such material after it has been applied and secured by means which will be hereinafter described Will be prevented. The covering, however, may also consist of a suitable hydraulic cement or a composition of materials adapted for the purpose.

The essential feature of the invention consists in forming in a pile or other Wood device or timber a series of recesses or key-seats 3, which in the present arrangement are shown alined and staggered or so that the recesses of one series will be disposed opposite the spaces between the recesses of the adjacent series. Each alternate series of recesses or seats also have their Walls inclined reversely to the walls of the adjacent series, and in producin g the recesses a suitable boring-tool will be used and held at an angle to the pile While performing the Work, or the pile may be disposed at an angle in relation to the tool. .After the pile has been provided with the recesses or key-seats 3 the part thereof to be submerged in Water, together With the walls of the'recesses or key-seats, is thoroughly coated with asphalturn paint or other analogous material, which will be permitted to run into the recesses or key-seats. The covering 2 is then applied to the pile over the coated portion thereof and the recesses or key-seats and pressed intothe latter, as shown by Figs.

2 and 4.. By pressing or forcing the covering 2 into the recesses or key-sets a plurality of said coveringin applied position, and the alternate variation in the angle of inclination of the walls of th recesses or key-seats 3 materially assists in holding the covering on the pile. By the arrangement of the walls of the recesses or key-seats in the manner set forth the covering is firmly locked to the pile with such strong resistance as to overcome any tendency to loosening when the pile is driven or laterally struck by boats landing thereagainst or by other heavy floating objects. The coating of asphaltum also materially assists in retaining the covering in applied position, as well as servingr to preserve the fiber of the pile. Ship-hulls can also be similarly covered, as well as buoys and other devices submerged in water, and while it is preferred that the recesses or seats be disposed in longitudinal alinement they may be otherwise alined or irregularly formed without departing from the spirit of the inventionz In view of the great scarcity of "wood or timber used in the formation of railroad-ties it has become necessary to provide some protective means for such devices to obstruct decay and render them more durable. The improved protective covering and the means for securing the same herein disclosed is efficiently applicable to ties for preserving them and prolonging their Wearing qualifications and utility. Furthermore, the improved covering is also exceptionally useful over the embedded ends of posts, piles, or other timbers that are driven or disposed in the ground or mud or water-bed, and in trestle-work and bridge structures the improved covering will also be found advantageous as a protective means not only to obstruct decay or rotting, but to prevent firing of the same, particularly when the covering used is of a ireproof nature. It is also intended to use the covering in connection with wood structures generally,

and it is obvious that the recesses or key-seats may be arranged close together or at varying distances apart from each other, and the success of the securement of the covering is not absolutely dependent on the longitudinallyalined arrangement of the recesses or keyseats, as their direction may be varied at will.

By the use of a protective painton the pile before the outer plastic covering is applied moisture which might by any possible chance pass through the said plastic covering is prevented from attacking the tiberof the pile and rotting the latter, and thereby the pile will be preserved for a greater length of time. outer covering of plastic material will be of such nature as to resist shocks or jars; but in view of a possible fracture the protective paint is used for the purpose just mentioned. Moreover, by the use of the protective paint the plastic covering is caused to more rmly adhere to the pile and is not liable to become loose.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is l. An object adapted to be submerged in water having series of individually-formed key-seats with inclined walls, the Walls of alternate series being inclined in reverse di-.

rection, and a covering applied over the object and forced into the said seats.

2. An object adapted to be submerged having series of individually formed key-seats therein, a coating of protective paint applied over the object and run into the seats, and a covering applied over the object on the coating of protective paint and forced into the seats. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OMAR A. STEMPEL.

Witnesses:

HUGH M. STERLING, OHAs. S. HYER.

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